NEW TECH FOODS

GEA Group has inaugurated a new $20 million New Food Application and Technology Centre (ATC) in Janesville, Wisconsin, aimed at enhancing the scalability of alternative protein production.

This facility represents GEA’s second global Centre of Excellence focused on sustainable food solutions, following the establishment of a similar centre in Hildesheim, Germany, in 2023.

The Janesville ATC is strategically designed to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and large-scale industrial production, addressing the growing demand for alternative proteins as substitutes for traditional animal-based products. The facility features pilot-scale infrastructure equipped with advanced technologies such as precision fermentation, cell cultivation and plant-based processing.

According to GEA CEO Stefan Klebert, the centre is essential for transforming innovative concepts into scalable production realities. “The food industry is at a crossroads," he said, during the opening ceremony. "To feed future generations sustainably, we must turn vision into scalable reality.”

The facility is expected to support the production of novel foods, including precision-fermented egg whites and cultivated seafood, while also strengthening GEA’s operational footprint in North America.

The Janesville centre boasts a comprehensive range of capabilities, including pilot-scale bioreactors that simulate industrial conditions, thermal processing and aseptic filling to ensure food safety. Additionally, advanced lab facilities will enable microbiological and analytical testing, providing a one-stop solution for companies looking to optimise their production processes.

The investment is anticipated to create up to eight highly skilled jobs at the ATC, complementing the existing workforce of 74 employees at GEA's nearby separation and flow technologies facility. The construction phase of the centre also supported approximately 500 contractor jobs, contributing to the local economy.

Local officials have welcomed the new centre as a pivotal development for Janesville and the broader Midwest region. Jimsi Kuborn, Economic Development Director for the City of Janesville, noted that the facility symbolises the convergence of agricultural heritage and modern innovation, fostering new opportunities for partnerships and workforce development.

Yaakov Nahmias, director of the Grass Center for Bioengineering and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, added:"GEA technology hubs are the crucible where visionary science becomes transformative industry, uniting biological innovation with cutting edge engineering to move towards a more sustainable future".

The launch of GEA's ATC comes at a time when the US is leading global investments in alternative proteins, with Wisconsin positioned to play a significant role in this expanding market. Industry experts view the centre as a critical player in advancing food technology and sustainability initiatives.